Wa School for the Deaf appeals for support

The Wa School for the Deaf is appealing to government and benevolent individuals and organisations to support the school establish to a new Vocational Centre in line with government’s focus to improve Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVE).

Although the school has one Vocational Centre, the appeal has been necessitated by the growing student population of the school. 

Speaking at the Golden Jubilee of the Wa School for the blind at Wa, the headmaster, Sylvester Bayor called on government to also consider upgrading the status of the school to fit the status of a fully fledged TVET institution.

The Wa School for the Deaf was established in 1968 by the late Cardinal Peter Porekuu Dery.

The late Cardinal Dery formed the school to ensure that children with hearing impairments across the then three regions of the north and Brong-Ahafo had access to a specialized and comprehensive education.

The school, which was the first of its kind in the northern half of the country; begun with 17 boys and three girls. 

Over the years, the school has produced many well-established individuals in society and won a number of laurels for excellence and commitment to deaf education.

The most recent among the awards and achievements of the school include placing 17 out 73 schools in the Wa Municipality at the BECE and winning the National Best Special School this year.

This notwithstanding, the school still faces a myriad of challenges. 

The Headmaster of the Wa School for the Deaf, Sylvester Bayor said the school has three vehicles with the most recent one being 15 years old, while the oldest which is a “boneshaker” is over 20 years.

Mr. Bayor mentioned the inadequate bungalows, inadequate street lightening systems and security as other challenges facing the school.

The school’s original administration block has also been left uncompleted due to the lack of funds for over three decades. 

To contribute to environmental sustainability, the Headmaster disclosed that the Wa School for the Deaf has grown a “mini forest” and has begun the cultivation of a mango orchard.

He appealed to government to support the school with agriculture mechanization services to enable to school begin all year round farming and partake in government’s Planting for Food and Jobs.

The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih commended the Wa Catholic Diocese for the continuous support to the School.

He admitted that more resources must be committed to special education to ensure quality education for all.

The Minister assured teachers and students of the school that his office together with other stakeholders will work together to address the needs of the school.

The Unit Head, Special Education Directorate in Charge of Deaf Education at GES, Victor Amponsah called for more cooperation among stakeholders to boost special education.

“In developing and improving the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the Wa School for the Deaf has helped in diverse ways in developing the human resources of the deaf in Ghana through the technical and vocational programs run in the school,” he said.

The Guest Speaker and Senior Lecturer at the Wa Campus of University for Development Studies, Dr. Africanus Diedong called for the Municipals and District Assemblies to allocate part of funds to special schools in region to help in catering for the students.

Story by Mark Smith